San Francisco Mandates Solar Roofs

City aims to be powered by 100 percent renewables by 2025.

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has unanimously passed the Better Roofs regulation to “fight climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.” The move requiring new buildings to go from solar-ready rooftops to operating solar systems represents a huge step toward its goal of powering the city to attain 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

The regulation means San Francisco builders of all commercial or residential structures with 10 or fewer stories must now include solar panels.

California’s energy standards mandate that 15% of the roofs atop new “small and midsized” structures, also 10 stories or less, be ready for solar.

In a press announcement, supervisor Scott Wiener has said this law provides a way to turn unused roof space into a partner of the city’s sustainable and renewable energy policies. “By increasing our use of solar power, San Francisco is once again leading the nation in the fight against climate change and the reduction of our reliance on fossil fuels. Activating underutilized roof space is a smart and efficient way to promote the use of solar energy and improve our environment. We need to continue to pursue aggressive renewable energy policies to ensure a sustainable future for our city and our region.”